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Let’s face it, there is never a good time for a global pandemic and UK lockdown. It came at a very dissapointing time for all friends of Stretford Cricket Club following so much winter work by the members.

We secured funding to relay the square, signed a new kit deal, secured new sponsors and ran a sucessful winter training program for young beginners to bolster numbers in the junior section. We also were looking forward to our overseas players having a big impact with also a couple of new senior playinga additions.

Unfortunately, all that work, the cricket fixtures, training and pre-season work has been on hold and suspended while we wait further news from the ECB and we all make progress along the Government’s lockdown roadmap.

As you have probably realised that we have to work hard to continue to run the club to ensure it is secured for the future and we have all our usual overheads to pay without any of the income from bar sales we rely upon.

Since we have moved beyond May 1st, I must advise all members that their memerbship have now expired and now need to be rewed. We are requesting, and would be very grateful, if all members (senior, junior and social members) renew as an associate member this year at the rate of £15.00.

The Associate Membership will allow you to access the club grounds during lockdown in line with government guidance with a guest however there will be no access to the club house and if you were a full playing member last season and aged over 18 you will be able to vote at the AGM.

As we continue along the COVID-19 road map and details are announced about training we will release details of how training can be carried out and managed at the club safely. If we do play some form of cricket later into the summer we will implement our “pay as you play” rate for senior players. Further details will also be announced about possibel Junior training and cricket matches but at the moment we are following ECB advice fully.

I would like to ask members wanting to renew to head over to our Join Us page to complete an online form in order to update our records. You may pay your Associate Membership online or by arranging a BACS transfer to Stretford Cricket Club (Sort Code 16-32-28 Account Number 12925625 but please use your name as a clear payment reference.

Once again thank you for your continued support and I look forward to seeing you at the club in the near future

Ryan Williams enjoyed a successful first season at the club following his switch from Rainhill. He’s proven to be a popular member of the squad and earned the respect of his fellow players quickly with his quality all round performances. Having picked up the Players Player of the Year Award, Ryan is now set to start his first full season as 1st XI Captain.

SCC: What is your cricket potted history?RW: I’ve been playing cricket since I was 11 years old and got hooked after the 2005 Ashes which was simply the best series ever. I’ve played Lancs age groups between 14 and 17 and i’ve played for three clubs; Rainhill in the LDCC, Chester-Le-Street and now Stretford

SCC: You’ve had a season at Stretford, how do you feel it went?RW: Really enjoyable. The people have been great with me from the first time I walked through the gates. We had a good season finishing third in the league meaning we are now in a slightly division next season following the GMCL restructure. Making the cup semi final was a highlight, we played very good cricket in the cup with everyone contributing. I was very proud to be appointed captain midway through the season and is a career highlight because it’s an acknowledgement of respect from the players and club and i’m really thankful for that.

SCC: What do you like about the club? RW: I love the togetherness of the club and the can-do attitude the club has. The club is fortunate to have such a dedicated management committee and that helps to emphasise the community feel of the club. I like that we all have a laugh and it’s generally a great atmosphere

SCC: So how do you contribute to that atmosphere? RW: Well I think I am a very easy going person who can be serious. I like to think I am approachable and can have a laugh. I have an old head on young shoulders and as a player I like to lead by example and I’m an experienced player who still believes he can learn.

SCC: How can the club improve? RW: I think we need to believe in the brand of cricket we play and believe in ourself as a club to help us reach our goals. Off the pitch we need to build the junior section but to do that we need to engage with parents more effectively. That’s something I am aiming to do. We have beginners sessions planned for new year and we want to get those sessions filled and incentivise juniors to join the club with the parents being encouraged to get involved. It’s so important to the club to invest in youth and help them through into the senior ranks in a more measured way.

SCC: What do you do away from cricket? RW: I’m a big Everton fan and yes being from Liverpool I do get some stick but its all harmless banter. I enjoy the simple things in life like food and drink and I like watching films and TV series. I love living in Stretford as its full of friendly locals who support businesses to thrive. This area has great transport links, top class sport and shopping nearby so its ideal. I even go for the odd walk around the marina and along the canal. On a day to day basis I work in the city within the Print & Design industry where I design packaging.

SCC: What are your hopes for next season? RW: I really believe that we are strong enough to get promoted next season. We were close last year and with a few more runs on the board we would have gone up. It would be nice to go to a cup final and maybe lift some silver items

SCC: What is your opinion of the music played in the 1st XI changing room? RW: Where do I begin?! I do like some modern music but mainly lots of old classics. Iv’e seen Coldplay lots of times however I have some guilty pleasures like Simply Red, Beautiful South and the Lighthouse Family. I enjoyed the sing song we had in the Longford Tap at the end of the season where the whole pub joined in to High when we put it on the jukebox! I also enjoyed the knees up at the end of season do with a special adapted version of Go West by the Pet Shop Boys. I have a wide taste and even got into some Afrikaans music thanks to Francoise, the overseas player.

Its the last social before new year, the last chance to wish everyone at SCC a merry christmas and a happy new year, last chance to say bye to Rich Mattehwson who is crossing the Pennines on Dec 20th. Starting at 7.30 pm Disc Jockey McTarten & Disc Jockey McSporren are going to take us through the ages with a christmas karaoke so make sure your name is also in the hat. There will be a nice Ruby Murray and a nut roast available from the kitchen and drinks from the bar. Join in the fun. Free entry and all welcome. Let us know if your coming. Cheers

Well done to this month’s 100 Club winners and thank you to everyone who takes part.

This weekend saw the end of the playing season for the 1XI and 2XI, with wins for both, and just one more weekend for the 3XIs to fit in two rearranged fixtures. So we had August’s draw at the senior end of season presentation night on Saturday. The 1XI secured 3rd place in their division and mid-table for the 2XI and the players celebrated players-player, top batsmen and top bowler in each team.

The Players-Players for 1XI, 2XI and 3XI drew the winning numbers from the bag – and some of the winnings was spent at the bar during the evening 😊

It is not just the club socials and presentation nights that go on at the club, we have been hired out for a range of events including birthday and Christening parties. With the playing season over, the club is available weekends and in the week – so if you need a venue please do get in touch.

If you know of a group that could use our fantastic facilities during the day in the week or over the winter period then please do let me know.

A result which may have slipped under your radar at the weekend was the 3rd XI’s impressive 34 run victory away at Deane & Derby.

Batting first Stretford posted 146 all out with a typically swashbuckling 58 by Usman Hassan providing the bulk of the runs. There were important contributions from Paddy Lampton 14, Arran Sen 17 and an obdurate 15 from Kenny Cotton who stitched the top order together.

Stretford’s failure to bat the alloted 40 overs was perhaps a source of regret with Deane & Derby reaching 55 for the loss of only two wickets. The floodgates were opened by Shoaib Sarwar 3 for 20 and an amazing spell of 5 for 12 from 13 year old lancs prodigy Arran Sen who ripped through the hosts order. Deane and Derby slumped to 112 all out. Sen’s arsenal of bamboozling legspin with variations was too much for the hosts and ensured the MVP award was only going one way.

The 34 run win made it a treble win weekend for Stretford. Keep it going!!

We are holding a grand reopening of the pavilion on Bank Holiday Monday at 1pm. This will be performed by the Mayor of Trafford, Tom Ross. A match will follow at 2pm between a Stretford team and a team of ex Stretford players.

Food will be available and the bar will be open. There will be a raffle with several prizes.

On the day we will be giving playing members and social members the chance to pay their annual subscriptions.

As this is an occasion for all the community, we are presenting the club to new members, especially those with children, who may be seeing the ground for the first time. We offer a fantastic junior cricket experience with cricket for all ages.

We are proud of the advances which we have made to our facilities over the years and ask for your support, by way of subscriptions or donations, to continue to fund this work. Largely due to the generous donations over the years from our Life Members, the ground has seen major improvements. We trust that they will continue to donate generously.

Please make every effort to attend – to support your local club and to meet friends both old and new.

The family have advised that the funeral service will take place on Thursday the 18th at Manchester crematorium at 11.00. After the service there will be a get together back at the club. Our deepest thoughts and condolences to the Laker family at time.